I have been away for a long while and will return to posting a piece now and then, now that I start this new phase in life called “retirement.” Some random Dodger bullets running through my mind.
- As disappointed as many fans are that the Dodgers didn’t land a mega superstar such as Juan Soto, I am actually relieved that the farm system remains intact and strong. Soto is definitely a megastar and a young one at that, but the ball club has the best record in baseball and is ahead in the division by 11.5 games with 59 to play. They continue to thrive, on a pace to win 110 games in the regular season. Who can argue with that success? If there was ever a year to stand pat, 2022 was that year.
- Truth be told, the biggest late-season acquisitions for the Dodgers just may be Walker Buehler, Dustin May, Chris Taylor, Justin Turner, and Edwin Rios.
- The Padres are trading for the post-season short series wins. I believe they know the division is out of reach. Miracles have occurred, but this would rival the ’51 Giants if they were to overcome this lead. I see no sophisticated buzzer system in place for the Pads. As much as they have improved their starting nine, it is still difficult to argue that Padre pitching is much improved and strong enough to beat out the Dodgers in a short series. With that said, I’d rather face someone else in the postseason, but if they cross our path, the Dodgers should be up to the challenge and prevail.
- Andrew Friedman did Jake Lamb a favor by shipping him to his hometown team, and a contending one at that. Best of luck to him. He was a team player from the start of spring training, and he took his lumps, went to Triple-A, raked there, and then came up to the big club and contributed. You can only express appreciation for what he did as a Dodger, as short as that tenure was.
- The Joey Gallo acquisition I questioned at first, but can he regress much more? When you hit rock bottom, there’s only one direction to move. His defensive versatility and power potential could prove valuable to an already deep Dodger roster that is prepping for post-season play. If he doesn’t contribute, the Dodgers have enough depth to overcome a failing Gallo. Here’s hoping the hitting gurus (VanScoyoc, Brant Brown, et al, will be able to fix him).
- Evan Phillips just may be the most dangerous arm in the Dodger bullpen. Let me strike that. He IS the best reliever in the Dodger pen. What a meteoric improvement for the young man.
- Dave Roberts has been inserting his best reliever into high leverage situations that often are not in the 9th inning. I have been clamoring for this to be done for years. It is refreshing to see it happening now. The Dodger win in San Francisco on August 2nd was a prime example of this. With a 6-0 lead reduced to 6-5 in the 6th inning, Roberts brought in Phillips to extinguish a Giant rally with two on and none out. Phillips obliged and extinguished the Giant’s threat. That shutdown was directly responsible for the Dodger win. Put that one on good managing.
- I’m calling it now, Freddie Freeman will win the National League batting title. Why teams leave the left side open when he constantly beats the shift is beyond me. Perhaps advanced scouts know something I don’t because he seems to constantly beat teams on the left side of the diamond.
- Freeman, Trea Turner, and Gavin Lux will all finish hitting over .300. In this era of advanced stats and the downplaying of Batting Average, I still can’t get over the importance in my mind of that stat and the mystique of hitting over .300.
- Trea Turner impresses me more and more as the season advances. His defense is stellar; his smooth strides and pristine slides on the base paths are unlike others I remember. That sweet swing and surprising power are intangibles that I never noticed until watching him on a daily basis. Unfortunately, I believe he just may be out of our price range as free agency arrives for him. Gavin Lux is probably the Dodger shortstop of the future.
- I am of the belief that borderline Hall of Famers should be enshrined. Gil Hodges was the textbook case of an individual who had been wronged for decades. We can argue numbers up and down, but Hodges was deserving, in my view, as the top 1st baseman of the 1950s. It should be noted that in 1993Hodges was going to make it on the Veteran’s Committee vote, but Roy Campanella, a member of that committee, fell Ill, and Ted Williams, the Vet Committee chair, would not allow him to phone in his vote. Campy would die shortly afterwards. Gil fell one vote short that year. Another 29 years would go by before this wrong was righted. Further evidence that Williams could be a real SOB.
- Few Dodger fans people remember this but Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell, who passed away this week at the age of 88, used to host KABC Radio Sportstalk in the early 1970s during the prime drive time slot in the late afternoons. I will never forget his reverence for Jackie Robinson and how he eloquently eulogized him on his program when Jackie died in October 1972. I wish I had the foresight to have recorded it. Russell, known for his curmudgeonly ways and refusal to sign autographs, was actually a very congenial, kind man, especially with kids that would call the program. Another Hall of Fame great we have lost this week.
- We all have our Vin Scully memories. His baseball knowledge, storytelling, impeccable preparation, prose, poetic tone, and voice were experienced by us all. I’m sure we can tell stories about his indelible impact. As a 56-year-old man on a work assignment living in Argentina five time zones away, I would go to sleep each night with the magic of the internet and MLB’s app to his voice, just as I did five decades earlier with the transistor radio under my pillow each night. What a blessing it was for all of us to have him in our lives. As Jackie said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” I think it is safe to say that Vin Scully impacted millions of Dodger fans’ lives. A great and humble man has passed on, and we were all better for having him there in our living rooms for decades. I know we are saddened by his loss, but we were truly blessed to have him for so long. Sincere condolences to his family as we all mourn his passing.
Future Dodgers Down on the Farm (by MT)
- OKC beat Salt Lake 6-1
- Chris Taylor was 3-4 with 3 RBI and 2 HR
- Edwin Rios hit his 3rd Double
- Mike Busch was 1-4 as he played LF
- Dustin May went four innings and allowed two hits and 1 ER while striking out t6.
- Justin Bruihl (3-0/1.86 ERA) got the win
- Pedro Baez pitched a clean inning
- Yadier Alvarez pitched an inning allowing a hit and a walk
- Tulsa lost to NW Arkansas 6-4
- Ryan Ward hit his 26th HR
- Bobby Miller came in for the second inning after Nate Robertson was the opener and promptly gave up six runs on five hits and a walk. He gave up a 3-run and a 3-run HR. You have to wonder how he can do that with the type of stuff hje has.
- Cole Percival was promoted to Tulsa and pitched 1.2 scoreless innings.
- Great Lakes won 14-4
- Eddys Leonard hit his 10th HR and had 3 RBIs
- Jose Ramos hit his 21st HR
- Emmet Sheehan started and went five innings, allowing 2 ER, o BB and 8 K’s
- IE beat RC 12-4
- Luis Rodriguez hit his 10th HR. Still only 19… he is a work in progress…
Miguel Freaking Vargas! (by MT)
You just got another glimpse of why Andrew Friedman was loathe to gut the farm like AJ Preller did. We saw Outman last week. This week it was Miguel Vargas who debuted and was 2-4 with 2 RBI and a stolen base. I have heard fans say that he is slow. He is not! He has above-average speed. He has opposite field power – He’s a RH Freddie Freeman. He will get 20+ RBI, but he is a stone-cold hitter.
Here’s the deal: I believe all four or five players the Dodgers would have had to trade to get Soto will be all Stars and what kind of idiot trades four or five All-Stars for one All-Star not named Mike Trout? Only a jackass would do that. Remember that progress is not linear – sometimes, it takes longer for some players to develop. but Miguel Vargas is ready to take out of the oven!
Urias with his 11th win and Kimbrel doing what he does: walking a batter, giving up a hit, and getting the save. I wonder if that is why Andrew Friedman is bringing in Stone and Miller in relief?
The Dodgers are #1 in team ERA – 2.95.
The Dodgers are #1 in starter ERA – 2.78.
The Dodgers are #6 in bullpen ERA – 3.22, but you are going to see them climb and others drop (BIG TIME) – You heard it here first!
The Dodgers are tied with the Yankees in team OPS – .779.
The Dodgers are 2nd to the Yankees in Runs Scored – 567 to 546.
The Dodgers have the #1 record in baseball… and yet some fans evidently want to be Jackass GMs like AJ Preller and gut the Mule Barn. AJ Preller will be looking for a job in two years! Watch and Learn!
Welcome back Evan. Always valued your take. And welcome to the retirement club. Best club ever! And as good as Soto is it’s sometimes the Pederson’s, Rosario’s and Soler’s of the world who can bring you a championship. As AF says “it’s a crapshoot” when October hits!
Great news on Dustin May. He seems to be right on track to help in September and postseason play. His stuff is still electric and the movement even sicker than before TJ.
Miller is an enigma. As you said how can it be that he gets beaten like a rented mule in AA with that kind of stuff ?
Vargas and Outman. Wow. What a start to their respective MLB careers.
Now go get and sweep them Giants at their own park in a 4 game series. Have the Dodgers ever been able to do that before ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaking of sweeping the Giants in their own home, I don’t remember if the Dodgers swept them when SF opened their new stadium, I think they themselves asked the MLB office to schedule the Dodgers for that event. I’m not sure, but I could bet that it was….
Does anyone know or remember that and what year?
Yes, the year was 2000 . They specifically asked us to be the first series in their new ballpark, and we went in and won all 3 games.
I lived up there at the time, so I went to one of the games. The park is beautiful with great views of the Bay Bridge and Bay from the higher level seats. They really did do a fantastic job of designing that place. But nevertheless, it was fun to walk in and sweep their opening series.
Thanks Bobby…
I will post a here a comment I made elsewhere about why JHader might had been traded:
“Hader was pristine perfect (0.00) with 19 saves until jun 5. Since then, he had allowed 7 HRs including a massive meltdown in jul.15 with 6 runs and 3 HRs. Had at the moment of trade an ERA of 4.24 and FIP of 3.47.
Also he had 2 blown saves and has 4 loses in this last 2 month stretch.”
Great post. I think Lux ends up.280-..295
Nice points, Evan, but I’ll disagree about Trea’s future here.
I think a big reason for NOT trading for Soto was, when you factor in his future salary, it could’ve perhaps prevented us from signing another player to a huge deal (we’d already have Soto, Freeman, Mookie, and soon to be Buehler and Urias on large deals). So if we got Soto, likely add Trea to the list of those leaving the Dodgers as a result of the trade .
But now that we have this stocked farm still, some money coming off the books after this year, AND no future $500mil contract for Soto, I think we do retain Trea.
The MAIN reason I didn’t want Soto wasn’t because we’d lose 4-5 top prospects, but because it would also likely mean we couldn’t afford Trea as well. so a 6 for 1 deal for Soto didn’t make sense.
Bobby, I hope you’re right about Trea. His value seems to be rising as each day passes but again, as it was last year, there will be another talent heavy shortstop class entering free agency this off season.
Great Job, Evan! Glad to have you back!
Good to have you back. Great post Evan!
What a great debut for Miguel Vargas. If Michael Busch is anything close to Vargas and Outman, we’re going keep rolling well into the future. I’m digging the 70’s disco look with the Fro, headband, mustache, and the dangly cross earring. He looks unassuming and just rakes.
Meanwhile, Julio looked dirty as ever, carving them up like Thanksgiving turkey.
Welcome back Evan, many good takes that I agree with. Thank you for serving to keep our communities safe.
Man Kimbrel has some crappy luck. He walks a guy that he should have struck out, but the ump missed it. Then gets a double-play ground ball that’s out of reach between Trea and Max and proceeds to hit the next guy to load them up. In the end, he buckled down and got out of it with no runs and another save. It’s getting nerve-racking, and I’m really hoping he’s on the verge of breaking through his command issues.
It’s said that velocity plays up in the postseason. He have a lot of live arms in the bullpen. Eric says that Chafin and Robertson is better than everyone except Phillips “According to stats”. They’re both good pitchers having very good years, but do we need them and are they necessarily better?
Chafin is working with a 91 MPH fastball and a wicked, unhittable slider. He’s had a nice run over the last two years pitching for some very bad teams. This year he’s got no pressure pitching in Detroit and often pitches in the 6th and 7th innings and often isn’t asked to complete a full inning. He has another year on his deal, so if he regresses, you’re stuck with him.
Robertson has been closing out games for a bad cubs team all year and has done an adequate job. Yes, the ERA is pristine, but 5 blown saves against 15 saves is not. He’s working off a 93 MPH cutter and a filthy curve and slider. He barely pitched in the last 3 years before this one and he’s 37 years old, so there’s some risk with him, but “According to stats” he’s very good this year. Just not according to the Blown Saves stat.
So, are they really better than our guys as Eric Claims?
Comparing Chafin to the lefties on the team, Vesia has an ERA around a full run higher. This amounts to one run every 9 innings, or about 10 games for a reliever that doesn’t pitch complete innings. He’s also been pitching in a lot of high-leverage situations for a team with pressure to produce and he’s getting the job done. Last year, he was even better ending the season with a 2.25 ERA. Sorry Eric, but I’ll go ahead and keep Vesia over Chafin.
The other main lefty we’ve been using lately is Caleb Ferguson, who’s been unhittable this year. He’s pitched in 15 games and haven’t released an earned run. Sorry Eric, no comparison here.
Victor Gonzales is the lefty on the IL that hasn’t pitched yet this season due to injury. He pitched mostly injured last year and was still effective. In his rookie year, he was about as good as it gets, finishing the season with a 1.33 ERA and taking down big postseason innings. Sorry Eric, I’m sticking with V-Gone.
All these lefties are young (26 or younger) and have upside. All of them throw harder than Chafin. You don’t need more than 3 lefties in the pen and yet we still have a bunch of lefty starters that might be forced into the pen. There’s just no room for Chafin.
As far as Robertson goes, Eric was chirping about bringing in Kimbrel last year around this time. So, lets just go ahead and assume that Kimbrel gets to keep his job. Eric thinks that “According to stats” that Robertson is probably better. But, “According to this stat” Saves vs BS, Kimbrel is better.
Evan Phillips is a lock
Brusdar has carved out a niche as a ground ball guy
Almonte is better “According to this stat” ERA.
Now, the bullpen is just about full with 7 guys if the Dodgers continue their plan to sometimes use a 6 man rotation. But, it’s also easy to see that a couple of starters might get pushed to the pen when the post-season starts.
Assuming that the Dodgers go with a rotation looking something like Urias and Kershaw as the lefties and Gonsolin and May as the righties, both Heaney and Anderson could get moved to the pen. But, there’s still Buehler! There’s also still Kahnle, Duffy and Treinen, Reed, Martin.
Every one of these guys throw harder than Robertson and Chafin and just about all of them are younger.
Eric, you think you cracked a code with OPS, but there’s a reason that the Dodgers don’t do what you do. It’s because you aren’t going to be able to find the next Evan Phillips or Yency Almonte that way.
If you want to keep harping on Chafin and Robertson, go for it. But, the deadline has passed, Chafin wasn’t good enough to find a new home and Robertson went to a team that was on the edge of a wild card. It’s done. It didn’t happen. I can clearly see why by considering other factors.
Just a really good, well-constructed team.
Love that Drury his the first pitch he saw for a GS down in San Diego.
Find this, LOL.
“Per Source, The Marlins did in fact have talks with the Dodgers. The price that the Marlins had for Pablo Lopez was three prospects and Gavin Lux.”
Thanx but no thanx.
AF was wise not to make that kind of trade.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome Miggy to the big leagues! Having the young players doing so well is exciting to see. Looks like CT , May , and Rios are about ready to be activated. Who is going to be sent down? Bickford…Thompson…. Price? You can’t be serious to send Outman or Vargas down after what they just did!
Bickford down, May up.
With CT3 it is way more difficult who to sent down or release. It probably will come down to Outman or Vargas, whoever does better stays.
Rios probably will take a little longer to be ready. Keep him in AAS a while longer to see what Gallo can do. If Gallo faulters bring Rios up.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rios probably gets optioned to the minors. Outman and Vargas are going down when JT and CT3 come back. Yes, I’m serious. But, it’s nice to know that they’re backing up players in case of injury. Bickford goes down when May comes back. Simples!
Not sure when CT3 or JT will return, but it won’t be long until Vargas, Outman or possibly Rios return as rosters expand in September to 28 players. I haven’t been able to find out if you can carry any additional pitchers beyond the 13 that is set by rule, once September starts.
Evan –
Some really good takes; look forward to more stimulating pieces from you in the future. Thank you for your public service in protecting all of us!
Mark – you were right on Vargas. I don’t follow the minor league players as closely as many here do; so, I depend on those of you who do. It only takes one game to recognize that Vargas has the “real deal” potential!! In less that a week, we have seen two major-league ready prospects which make the Dodger future look very bright. I am hungry to see more…..who is next on the list, Mark?
I have seen some wonderful tributes to Vinny which are richly deserved! What has impressed me is so many who knew him personally have said while he was the greatest broadcaster ever, he was even a finer human being! There is a lesson for all of us there.
I am beginning to feel like a kid again…..Go Dodgers!
Tom,
Time will tell about Vargas, but you saw the talent!
Next?
Gavin Stone and Mike Busch
Not much non-trade deadline news from Internet, so just focus on Fangraphs….
On:
The Mitch White deal:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/pitching-needy-blue-jays-snag-mitch-white-in-prospect-swap-with-dodgers/
TL;DR White is a serviceable pitcher. De Jesus is essentially a lottery ticket. Frasso could be electric. Brito a projectable 6-foot-5 lefty who sits 89 with a decent curveball shape and has a clean over-the-top delivery.
The Gallo deal:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/joey-gallo-heads-west-for-a-fresh-start-with-the-dodgers/
TL;DR At first glance, this deal makes much more sense for the Yankees than it does for the Dodgers. The Yankees couldn’t seem to get Gallo going but were able to offload him and his salary in favor of a live arm who could help them in a year or two. That said, from the Dodgers’ standpoint it’s worth remembering that few people expected the likes of Muncy, Taylor, or Justin Turner to thrive with the team before they picked them up, and at least within the small samples, the same might be said for Thompson
The Martin deal:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dodgers-and-cubs-make-mutually-beneficial-swap-of-martin-mckinstry/
TL;DR The trade seems like a good fit for both teams. There’s no immediate 40-man impact to either club (both Martin and McKinstry are already on the 40), but it adds to Chicago’s little postseason crunch by adding another long-term 40-man piece, while it subtracts from Los Angeles’ since Martin will be a free agent after the season, joining the dozen or so players set to become part of the Dodgers diaspora.
Anyone else noticing that Max Muny is hitting the ball better the last couple weeks?
If he’s slowly waking up, good luck to everyone else!!
I’m trying not to jinx him.
400+ in August! 😉
Since, August 1. Exit velocities:
Barrel: Max Muncy [LAD] off Alex Young [SF]: 106.9 mph, 18 degrees (Single)
Barrel: Max Muncy [LAD] off Alex Cobb [SF]: 107.7 mph, 17 degrees (Single)
Barrel: Max Muncy [LAD] off Jarlin Garcia [SF]: 104.9 mph, 20 degrees (Lineout)
Barrel: Max Muncy [LAD] off Logan Webb [SF]: 102.4 mph, 34 degrees (Home Run – 399 ft)
It wont matter what you hit in the regular season.
Who will have the timley hits in the postseason?? Muncy, Bellinger, Turner, Turner, Gallo, Mookie, Freddie, Will, Vargas???
Who will be our Rosario this year???
I have. I will never give up on Marvelous Max….he has earned my trust.
Again I will say….last year Washington was kind to us giving us two stars. This year, they are kind to Padres for such.
I’m not envious, angry, or regretful.
Let’s get it on…..this trade just made our rivalry so much more interesting. I love it. And now I won’t hear anyone crying about how we are buying a WS ring.
Bobby –
I have noticed both Muncy and Belli are looking better at the plate. I am not expecting either to return to their previous best but if they can each get back some of the way, it will make a big difference in the playoffs. Keeping my fingers crossed for both….
And, like everyone here I am “all in” for signing Tre long-term.
Go Dodgers!
Bobby – from 8/2/22 – * Nice to see Muncy run into one. While the results aren’t there yet, he’s swinging better.”
There are two things that would be incredibly stupid for the Dodgers to do.
Trading a lot of top prospects for Juan Soto would be one. They avoided that. The second would be not re-signing Trea Turner. That certainly would weaken the team moving forward. The Padres are set for a big run in 2023. Plus the Dodgers have payroll flexibility next year and a lot of young players coming up through the system.
Why wouldn’t they sign him with a revenue stream nearing $600 million?
Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman is a formidable trio at the top of the lineup.
Agree but I gotta see Trea have a good postseason….
I have been saying for months,negotiate now.I would say Trea ,just tell me how rich do you want to be.Ok ,back the truck up.I think he is as valuable as anyone in baseball.I know I am a huge fan of his,but he is incredible.
* So AF has played his cards. Some of us were pleased and some not. What’s new? But what we have is what we get. It’s now up to the players to make this thing work. They are obviously what AF wanted and a team he expects to win. Sure, Doc has an influence with his moves and line ups but the bottom line is, it’s the players who need to perform and determine our fate.
* Nice to see the bottom of the order produce last night. Vargas has a nice swing. short to the ball, nice balance, great wrists so fast hands and bat. Outman too. I like his bat and athleticism.
* Seriously, was that a hit and run I saw with Barnes?
* Nice Mookie sac fly. Our situation hitting has been so much better lately
* I get it now. The Kimbrel Thing. His games are rigged. Manfred and his minions have set it up for TV and cardiac centers. Kimbrel comes in with his normal 20+ pitches, a walk, maybe a hit by pitch and traffic. His tight rope act assures that viewers will stay up and on the edge of there seats until the very end.
Nice he’s had some runs to work with again.
* I too like Phillips being used in any inning with high leverage. The only problem with that is it leaves Kimbrel for the 9th.
Phil –
Great post! I especially liked your last point….”I too like Phillips being used in any inning with high leverage…the only problem is it leaves Kimbrel for the 9th.” LOL….but, sadly, it’s true….
Well you know when I see Kimbrel come in I think ,oh crap.But I guess the boss feels like we’re paying 18million a year to save games I better play him.But damn if he doesn’t almost lose the game every ……. time.
As always, Phil good stuff. With Kimbrel his outings are consistent, but that’s not necessary a good thing. I was ready to crash by the ninth inning and was hoping for a quick inning from Kimbrel (hey, I said I was tired). And, of course, he does his thing with the usual bad luck thrown in. I’m thinking “if this M’Fer allows Yastremski to hit in the tying run I’m going to lose it” Thank you home plate umpire for ending the madness.
Maybe May can be used in high leverage come playoff time. I would definitely get Phillips some closing opportunites and see how he does before the playoffs. Hopefully, Phillips can be the closer of the future. It would be nice to have a closer that doesn’t do a high wire act with most outings.
Nice job Evan, welcome home. Retirement has it’s perks. But if I can give you one piece of advice, it is stay as active as you can. Since I started writing for this blog, it has done me a great deal of good because the research I do for the tales I tell makes me keep my mind active. Boredom is your worst enemy. Back to baseball. Boston is DFAing Jackie Bradley Jr. He is expendable with the addition of Tommy Pham. Dinelson Lamet DFA’d by the Brewers a little more than a day after his acquisition. He is a victim of roster space. Would be a nice reclamation project for LA if released. The Dodgers are going to have their own roster crunch here in the next week or so. Now, we may not like it, but the fact is that both Outman and Vargas will be heading back to OKC soon, CT3 should be ready by next week. Same with Rios. May is scheduled to make at least one more start, maybe two. And they have been stretching him out, so it looks like he will be back as a starter and not a back end of the pen piece. Turner’s IL stint was back dated to the 30th of July. So figure sometime next week late, he is also ready. Graterol is also almost ready to go. So that is at least 5 guys on the verge of returning. Look at the present roster and who do you think will be DFA’d or sent down?
Rios gets optioned to the minors. He isn’t coming back to the 26 man, so that leaves Brusdar, May, CT3, JT. Vargas and Outman are going back to the minors when CT3 and JT return. Outman is redundant with Gallo. Gallo gets to work on his swing until then, with no pressure to play.
When May and Brusdar come back, Bickford get’s optioned. The next cut is going to be tricky and it might just be that Brusdar gets optioned back to the minors. Ferguson is pitching out of his mind, so optioning him is going to be a tough call, but surprisingly Martin has an option remaining so he’s probably the one to take the dive back down to the minors.
It sure looks like Price is on borrowed time. The Dodgers are going to have to get creative when Treinen comes back…
Pitchers with options include: Martin, Urias, Gonsolin, Vesia, Ferguson, Bickford. It could be that Gonsolin gets sent down for rest? Vesia could probably use a breather.
Pitcher on the IL that have options include: Brusdar, V-Gone, May and Walker.
Good call on future roster moves B&P. They’ll be some tough calls in the next couple of weeks. But, there still a ways to go in the season and injuries are sure to happen. Previews of Outman and Vargas are fun to watch and it’s nice to know they will be available if necessary. The depth on this team is insane. The Dodgers’ depth has depth. It’s something the “cool” Padres don’t have and will probably be their downfall in the playoffs.
Good post.
Bickford, Outman, Vargas, Ferguson, Thompson.
Although I dont think Rios will be back at the big club right away…
Why Ferguson? He has been unhittable
Go Dodgers!
100% agree…..no way does Ferguson go down. Other than Bickford, I don’t know who should?
Exactly, he’s already pissed off about being put on the IL the last time and hasn’t allowed an earned run all season. That would be the best pitcher in the pen right about now, Phillips excluded. His curve and fastball are both ridiculous right now.
He has options. It wont be for long, but my guess is him or maybe Martin.
Great article, Evan.
I think and hope you are wrong regarding the re-signing of Tre. Had we gotten Soto, yes, he would be gone….but we didn’t get Soto’s salary, so we can use that for Tre.
I think Lux will be close to .300 but more like .280 is my prediction.
My biggest concern I now have is how do we use the guys in the minors who are up or who are ready to come up? I would hate to waste their skills another year in the minors.
We seem to have too many players. For example- some are looking forward to Rios coming back. I’m not….why would I be? That means someone like Outman or Vargas would have to go back down. I actually believe both of them are better than Rios. It’s a problem that is bigger than 2022.
And all these pitchers about ready to return…..Oy ve……who leaves go make room?
I suppose this is a good problem to have …..
TM
Hey TM. I have to agree with B&P with his comment on the quality and thoughts of your comments the last few weeks. Not that they were bad before. And, not that my opinion matters. Lol. Anyway, continue the nice work.
3:45 PM ET
Dodgers (71-33)
Giants (51-54)
SP Clayton Kershaw L
7-3 2.66 ERA 81.1IP 84K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
LF Joey Gallo L
2B Gavin Lux L
CF C. Bellinger L
DH James Outman L
Partly-cloudy-day
0% Rain
66° Wind 11 mph Out
Well, in September roster are extended, right? 28 or 29?
The expansion come a little late in the context of this discussion.
In the next two (2) weeks the team might get May, Graterol, Trienen, Ríos, Turner, and Taylor back over! That’s not accounting for Buehler and the other Ps.
That’s six roster spots to make room for – how?
Bickford, Outman, Vargas are easy.
Price DFA? Not as easy.
Gonsolin with a phantom injury to give him rest gives us five.
Who else?
As you imply, they can add another two back next month when rosters expand.
Well, JT has an abdominal strain. I think that is more than 2 weeks. ERios, for me is staying down so we can take a look at Gallo. When BTrienen comes, we can send CMartin down who have an option. Does Brusdar began to throw again?
Ultimately the kids can go down and DPrice can also be DFA.
September 1 the rosters expand to 28.
Price needs to get dfa’d, Bickford & Martin get optioned and keep Ferguson!!
Are you talking about the David Price with a 2.86 ERA?
Only OPS matters. Who cares about ERA?
ERA is a great stat when used for starters. It can be skewed easily for relievers, especially closers who rarely pitch more than an inning. I think Kimbrel is either going to find his control and consistency, or by the playoffs, there will be a different closer. And Kimbrel is a free agent this fall. My choice, easy, Phillips. His stuff is nasty, he throws strikes, and his blood is colder than an Eskimo igloo.
But, then you lose him in the highest leverage situations. Might not be a problem when Treinen and Brusdar come back and take over that role. But, your points are valid. Hell, maybe Buehler closes games? Maybe Urias? We do have too many starters.
Bear –
I agree with you on Kimbrel and Phillips. Kimbrel needs to show he can be more dominating against the inferior teams like the Giants . I don’t think we want to go into the playoffs with a closer who is under performing regardless of his career numbers. Right now, I can’t see Kimbrel going 2-3 times in a playoff series against the Mets, Braves or – now – the Padres. And, on the horizon will likely be either the Yankees or Astros. We need a lock down closer if we want to win the World Series!
Price has given up 2 runs in his last 13 appearances. Pretty solid and can’t be ignored. He also throws strikes and doesn’t walk many.
Bulldogs
All good points. I thought Martin did really well on Tuesday. Monday was a mulligan game for him. If he has to go down it will give him a chance to work on new changes. And agree Vesia could use a breather.
Thanks Scott. The front office has a plan. It’s better to have to many players than too few. I don’t really sweat this. Yes, it sucks to have major leaguers on the active roster that might be worse than guys with options in the minors.
AF and Doc have both said, they would rather have veterans in the postseason, than rooks or kids.
I’m looking forward to the game to see how our Mendoza crew performs. Belli, Gallo and Muncy are all in the same lineup stacking lefties against righty, Junis. Too bad they have Smith in there instead of Barnes. 😉
I would hate to see us lose any playoff series because we can’t finish the game. I admit, I don’t trust Kimbrel.
And don’t forget who was the guy who closed big games for us to win the WS a while back…..a starter, JULIO URIAS!
Maybe May can be used in high leverage come playoff time. I would definitely get Phillips some closing opportunites and see how he does before the playoffs. Hopefully, Phillips can be the closer of the future. It would be nice to have a closer that doesn’t do a high wire act with most outings.
Just put Treiinan at closer when he returns and call it a day. I know Roberts likes him in that fireman role but Phillips seems to be excelling in that role and he has closer experience. May and/or Buehler are other possibilities.
I think that was the last change up CK throws in his career.
Phillies released Di Di Gregorius. Bradley released by the Red Sox.
Kimbrel is a conundrum this year. His HR% is the lowest of his career as is his K% His walk rate is lower than his career average. The one thing that really stands out is that his BAbip is almost 100 points higher than even his worst years, checking it at a Ted Williamsesque 402! His ERA is 429 and his FIP is just 2.06.
The only thing that looks completely out of whack is that BAbip number. This to me looks like a case of extremely bad luck.
Say what you want, but I’m betting on a rebound. It’s not all bad. He has 19 saves against 3 blown which is better than David Roberton’s 14 saves against 5 blown.
Gallo with a single to LF. What? He’s not here to do that.
Just in case anyone was interested I am including a link to a Vin Scully Tribute Sketch done by Brian Oakes. I have ordered 2 of his stadium prints and they are high quality.
I thought some of you guys maybe interested. It is a limited time to purchase so I thought I’d post it, take a look and decide for yourself. I ordered mine today. This is not a canvas print but a printed sketch that you can put in a frame.
https://www.briandoakes.com/mlb-baseball/vin-scully-tribute-piece-microphone-baseball-black-white-sketch-12-x-12-fine-art-print/?mc_cid=c52027be2f&mc_eid=197a1ea4d3
amazing !
IL trip for Clayton coming. Damn.
As many of us feared it was only a matter of time.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well well CK out of the game with what looked like a back problem. This does not bode well.
Hope it’s just a tweak but with his back history I suspect he’ll be out awhile. Post season in jeopardy.
Time for Pepiot or Miller or Stone .
My bet is on Pepiot who has looked good when he was up and in his last couple starts at AAA.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe a blessing in disguise. He can go on vacation and come back strong with a new epidural or cortisone injection.
LOL no name pitcher talking shit to mookie when they’ve lost 7 straight to us and are 20+ games back.
Seriously. Wtf was that
Why doesn’t Clayton just pitch at home so he never gets on a plane as that’s what causes his back problems?
Is it too late to get Mitch back?
The new Padres up to their old tricks v Colorado
To answer question one, I do not know if they have even considered that, and Kersh would have to agree which I doubt he would since he enjoys being around his teammates. You see guys on the IL traveling with the team. Question two, yes, it is way too late to get Mitch back. No roster additions unless it is a waiver claim after the deadline. I do not care for that rule at all. The September 1 deadline used to allow you to get players who could help in the playoffs, and be injury insurance. Just like I also dislike the fact that only two players can be added in September.
I love Kersh and doubt he will consider making drastic changes in his delivery at this point of his career, but he should seriously consider moving away from the pause in his delivery that is likely a major culprit to his back injuries; when he brings his front leg down right before he strides towards home plate. All the force he has generated in his delivery up to that point comes crashing down on his lower back and back leg. His weight generates forces that should be moving towards home plate, not straight down on the mound.
Once he begins to lower his front leg he should be moving towards home plate reallocating the energy through his front hip, down through to his front leg and subsequently to the ground.
Maybe he should pitch from a wheelchair… or better yet… hospital bed.
😉
How sweep it is!
4 game sweep of the Giants at their park. Wow. Can not remember that, sweeping them in a four game set at their place.
Hopefully Claytons back is not too badly damaged and will be back soon.
Kimbrel just can not pitch a clean inning. Some hard contact off him but got the save.
This guy is baaaaad for my heart condition.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He should not be allowed to pitch with a 1 run lead.
He had a 3 run lead, so it was ok. They won. Get over it. Padres down 5-2 in the 9th. Soto and Bell each have 2 hits. Bell drove in a run. This score holds up, the lead will be 12.5. Pads have played counting today’s game, 108 games. Dodgers, 105. 57 left for LA. 54 for SD,
Yep playing great ball only one constant weakness ay?
I do not give a rats behind how they win. Just as long as they win. The man has 392 saves in the majors. How many have you got? The manager and coaches know more about his stuff and what he is thinking and doing than all of us here. One constant weakness? Muncy has been a weakness with the bat until the last couple of games. Bellinger’s bat is colder than a Thanksgiving turkey in the freezer. He has 20 saves to go along with the cardiac arrests he gives fans. Not every save has to be clean. Get over it. They won and gained a full game on the Padres. Harping on Kimbrel’s foibles is not going to change anything. Ay. ?>>>??????
Press Release
LEGENDARY DODGER BROADCASTER VIN SCULLY TO BE HONORED WITH PRE-GAME CEREMONY AT DODGER STADIUM TOMORROW, AUGUST 5
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers will pay tribute to legendary broadcaster Vin Scully tomorrow/Friday, August 5 with a special pre-game ceremony prior to the game against the Padres at 7:10 p.m. Fans are asked to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. as the team commemorates the Hall of Famer who passed away this week at the age of 94.
Fans will also have a chance to pay their respects at various locations throughout Dodger Stadium. Behind the Vin Scully Press Box, which was named after the Dodger icon in 2001, the “I’ll Miss You” banner from Scully’s last game at Dodger Stadium will be on display. Additionally, some of Vin’s most prized possessions – his World Series rings – will be featured beginning August 19.
In the Dodger Stadium lobby, a new tribute to Scully will be added to the display case which will greet fans as they walk through the front door. Additionally, miniature versions of Scully’s microphone from the Dodgers’ Ring of Honor will be placed on any existing Scully displays at Dodger Stadium. Fans are encouraged to stop for a moment whenever they pass one of these icons to read about the life and legacy of Vin Scully.
Yesterday, the Dodgers debuted a commemorative black patch featuring a microphone and the word “Vin” which the team will wear on their jerseys for the remainder of the season.
Mark; you’re 100% correct. Vargas is a beast.
And then there is this kid in A ball, right now. His name is Diego.
Can’t say it better than Jack.
https://youtu.be/PxLFXnj9Nz8
Is there anything better than when people here start weighing in on physiotherapy?
That may not be the right term.
But last year we had people theorizing on Betts’ bowling. Now we have changes to Kershaw’s delivery!
We have very intelligent Dodger fans here brother.Don’t you doubt it.
BulldogsandPenguins
I had my final say yesterday. So it looks like you are harping not me.
You lied in your post above about me when you said I said Phillips is the only better reliever than Robertson and Chafin. I’ve mentioned the following. Almonte better this year only, not career. Treinen career wise only, there are no stats for Treinen this year unless you want to include the 5 innings so far this year and I wouldn’t be surprised with you and your small samples. Kimbrel career wise only.
You’re using useless stats to make your points. ERA and blown saves. And worthless factors such as no pressure on other teams and bigger parks and throwing harder. I see you used another small sample about Ferguson, something you always do. By the way I have my eye on Ferguson, I just need to see more/ bigger sample unlike you with small samples.
Vesia, go look at career and this year splits against RHB and compare. Also look at career innings pitched. Hell look at career and this year overall slash lines and compare.
Gonzalez, same exact thing as Vesia. Except there are no stats this year from Gonzalez to compare but there are career slash lines to compare, overall and splits. And don’t forget the career innings pitched.
Graterol same exact thing as Vesia and Gonzalez. Reverse the side of the plate in splits when you compare. And compare the other things just like Vesia and Gonzalez.
Ferguson, only an above average reliever career wise, off to an excellent start this year (but small sample like you always use). I already mentioned him above. My eye is on him.
Kahnle, Reed, Duffy, Martin? Really? Go compare. Can’t believe that one, but then again considering everything else you’ve said.
If you want to use useless stats to make your points go ahead I’ll start ignoring your posts. If you want to use small samples to make your points go ahead I’ll start ignoring your posts. If you want to use worthless factors to make your points go ahead I’ll start ignoring your posts. If you want to lie about what I say go ahead I’ll start ignoring your posts. If you want to use stats that tells me you’re still living in the pre-3 batter minimum rule era go ahead I’ll start ignoring your posts. If you want to compare 2 players who have nowhere near similar stats go ahead I’ll start ignoring your posts. WOW that’s a lot of shit from you.
You fired the shot I don’t know why, I’m just firing back with a lot more ammunition.
Meanwhile, our bullpen has aloud 1 run in the last 18 innings in the road and DPrice has an ERA of 2.86
Go Dodgers!
WIN 4 VIN
Look at the teams we played and how they rank offensively.
18 innings is a small sample.
Look at Price’s slash line for the year.
A sure sign of losing an argument is when you get personal and start cussing. Caleb Ferguson has never pitched more than 50 innings in any year. I doubt he will this year either so, the 15 innings he’s pitched this year is around 30% of the population (total innings). That’s a large sample size, not a small one.
In your mind, you have a lot more ammunition. In reality, you’re working with a half-filled water gun.
Feel free to ignore all my posts. If I want to know what a pitcher’s OPS is, I’ll go to baseball reference.
I said slash lines, not “OPS”.
ERA and blown saves is “a half-filled water gun”. Get better ammunition.
Why you fired the shot? I’ll never know. I use to like you.
So, ignore him already or shut up.
Everyone: Tone it down a notch!
Passion is fine.
Attacking is not cool.
Peace Out!
… which is better than Peace Off!
Medwick ready to go Mark. If they get testy, just delete.
I’m sorry Mark.
I don’t know why he fired the shot.
I know this is your website. But I have a right to fire back at HIM.
That actually should say shots. Plural. It’s been shots from him for about a week.
Again I’m sorry.
Actually Eric, you don’t. If he offended you, the best thing you can do is just ignore it and move on. Not everyone is going to agree with the other person’s ideas and interpretations of stats and how they are used. One of the reasons some of the better posters left the site, was because of some of the infantile chirping that goes on now and then. I have a short fuse myself, and sometimes someone will say something and my immediate reaction is to retaliate. But be the better person and let it go. After all, we are all supposed to be grown men, and arguing over a difference of opinion is a waste of time and energy.
OK, Let’s disagree without being disagreeable.